Saturday, April 14, 2012

Update from Long Branch Baptist Church

(Reflections from Pastor Wayne Watson from Long Branch Baptist Church, Anderson, SC who recently returned from Haiti)

Our trip to Alex's House and Haiti was so wonderful, more than I could have imagined. The children at Alex's house were sooooooo precious and loving. The day at the beach and the play time at the oasis where we were staying prior to the beach with the children was great. The work at the construction site was so encouraging when you realized the vision of those houses soon being completed and filled with the laughter of children in a safe and loving environment. Although the work was hard, it was so rewarding. Then to cap it off, God showed up too!

At the church that we attended on Sunday, we began a Vacation Bible School of sorts Monday-Wednesday. The children were out of school for Easter/Spring Break. Our two groups Ingleside and Long Branch Churches working and ministering together as one mission team for the week, planned in advance for these afternoons with activities for the children, including craft and play time and a Bible Story for each day.

The Bible Story carried the theme of "Holy Week" in which we included a drama scene appropriate for the week, including script. On Monday was The Lord's Supper Scene and the betrayal by Judas. On Tuesday was the Crucifixion scene played out before the children and those in attendance. On Wednesday was the Resurrection. We included the children as well in the dramas. I was there on Tuesday and part of the drama team. The children helped us tell the story with hand drawn pictures and objects used in the crucifixion. Then the drama scene took place with the Mission Team carrying out in costume.

The scene of Jesus going to Calvary with the crowd crying out crucify Him, including Simon of Cyrene (we used a Haitian Young Man) being commanded to carry His cross when He no longer could carry it. The children were captivated, I found out later adults in the church were too. The Mission Team followed that scene with one of our members sharing a testimony of his own conversion, telling them that was why Jesus died, and they too could trust Him and believe by inviting Him into their hearts and be saved from their sins too. The plan of salvation was presented with interpreter, and the invitation for them to pray "the sinners prayer" was extended if they had never prayed it before. Through the interpreter they were asked who had prayed the prayer, to raise their hands, a number of them did.

Afterwards, I met with those who raised their hands and came forward, along with an interpreter (Jimmy from Alex's House), to talk with them in more detail, sharing with them additional scriptures affirming to them what they had done and what their next step should be~ to speak with the pastor and follow in believers baptism, and live to please the Lord. I also shared with them how important that decision of trusting Christ was for them and what that meant. I was amazed in the group of five who responded that day, again, our main focus was to minister to the children, but a 70 year old man named Mitchell was seated there among the converts. He told us he had prayed the sinners prayer asking Jesus to come into his life. Tears were in his eyes as he told us. Some family members I assume thought he didn't understand what was going on and was in the wrong place as we began to meet, but he assured them he was in the right place.

Also included in the group professing Christ for the first time was a 33 year old man and a 24 year old woman, along with two children who also prayed. It was such a thrill to see all of those who came to Christ that day, especially for me to see this 70 year old man. We were told that the life expectancy is only 55/56 years of age. Here he was 70 years of age. Somehow he had slipped through the cracks, so we thought. God was long suffering with him and had kept him alive for such a time as this.

On Wednesday afternoon at the construction site as we were finishing up for the day, I was surprised when one of the Haitian men who had been working with us came through the gate and motioned for me to come to the gate. He pointed to a young woman who was outside the gate, across the road requesting to talk with a pastor who spoke English. I went over to speak with her, not sure what I could do, but asking her if she needed food or money for something. She quickly told me no, speaking pretty good English. She began weeping and telling me she needed a pastor to pray for her. She began telling me about her life which was a mess. She apologized for taking me away from "the work". I assured her "this" was more important. I asked her if she had a personal relationship with Christ; if she had ever asked Christ to come into her life and forgive her of her sins and to save her. She said she had not. I began sharing scripture with her about God's plan for her salvation and came to the place of asking her would she like to pray to receive Christ. She said she would and right there on the street, she bowed her head and asked Jesus to come into her life, forgiving her of her sins. I affirmed her in what she did afterwards, along with praying for her about her other concerns she had raised that were so heavy upon her heart. I then followed it up by bringing her inside the gate and introducing her to Bill Howard, sharing with Bill what her concerns were as well as her salvation. She was dressed well but was bare footed. Bill offered to go and get her some shoes for which she accepted. I assured her of my continued prayer support although I would be leaving and returning to the U.S. Isn't it amazing, this woman did not speak Creole, the language of the Haitians. She told me she was from Dominica and her main language was Spanish, but she was living with an American in Haiti, which was the depth of her problems. She had learned enough English from him to speak with me and understand me. I find it remarkable that God knew what this woman's needs were and planned our trip for our paths to cross, for her to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and prayerfully received some other words of counsel that will encourage her to make wiser decisions about her present and her future.

Those are just six persons that I know of personally, whose names are now written in the Lamb's Book of Life and on their way to heaven and I pray hopefully will life a better life in the meantime as they await His coming. I am so thankful for the trip.

Sincerely, 

Pastor Wayne Watson
Long Branch Baptist Church, Anderson, S.C.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Update


It is with a heavy heart that I write this status update. I pray God's favor and protection over our ministry as we share this sad news publicly for the first time on Facebook and our blog. As many of you know, ministry in Haiti is full of ups and downs.  And, we want to share our ministry and life in Haiti with you.

Over the past week, we have shared with our partners, sponsors, and team leaders that Alex's House will no longer be supporting the Mowee Orphanage (Dina's).  In His perfect timing, Alex's House recently discovered that there are 3 other supporting organizations that currently sponsor the Mowee children. With at least four organizations supporting this particular orphanage, efforts to help were being duplicated.

Our mission in Haiti is to rescue the homeless children. With so many children needing to be rescued, no one can afford to duplicate efforts. Neither is it being good stewards of God’s resources with which He has entrusted us.

Two of the three other organizations have been supporting Mowee for two years, and they will continue to do so. They have given us their word that the children of Mowee will be cared for, loved and taught the truth of Jesus. Both of these organizations also have all of the Mowee children fully sponsored.

In His sovereign plan, Alex's House has recently lost 34 children who we have all grown to love and will be greatly missed. We are heart broken; yet, we look ahead with great anticipation of what the Lord has in store!  It is an unfortunate setback, but it will not keep the Lord's vision for Alex's House from being accomplished!

Tonight, as I reflect back over the past 2 weeks, I am grateful for the Lord's steadfast love and protection over our ministry! When light is shed on darkness, it is never easy, but totally worth it!  The Lord has taken our leadership "deeper still" over the past few weeks, and we embrace Him and His plan for Alex’s House. We are forever grateful for the 26 children that He has provided to us, which includes the precious blessings of Willie, Kinsey, and Woody who the Lord gave to us this past week.

He gives and takes away! But, our heart will choose to say “Lord, Blessed be Your Name.” We are here to answer any questions you may have.  Please feel free to contact our Sponsorship Director, Monica Langdale and/or our Missons Director, Amy Hobbs.

We truly appreciate your prayers during this difficult transition.

Serving Together,
Amy S. Hobbs

Monday, April 2, 2012

Three New Little Boys


A few weeks back we were doing a food distribution in a local community around the church where we’ve been worshiping.  One family broke my heart.  They lived in a stick/tarp house on the side of a steep rocky mountain.  The mom was broken - physically and emotionally... several little malnourished children under her feet. 

I prayed for them as I handed them a double portion of rice and beans, then again as I walked down the mountain and sensed the voice of the Holy Spirit.  “Father, do You want us to have these children?  You know our hearts and home are open for those You send to us.  Please speak clearly and help us to hear.”

Turns out the lady wasn’t the mom of all three boys.  Two of them belonged to her 18 year old daughter.  I’m not sure why she had two children at 18, but I’m confident it wasn’t for “love.”  Rape or incest are likely possibilities.

In the coming weeks we would regularly see the daughter (mother of the two) at church or Bible School.  She carried the same hopeless look as her mom.  One child in her lap and one attached to her side.  I didn’t know who to feel more sorry for, her or her little boys.

I continued to pray about having the boys. A couple of days ago I asked Jimmy and Patrick, “What do you think about the 3 little boys on the mountainside?  My heart is broken for them and I’m wondering if God wants us to have them."
They responded “Oh yes, their mom wants us to have them.”
How do you know that?
“Their mom asked us if we could take them a few days ago.”
Really? That would have been a nice bit of information to have shared earlier!  :o)

My heart jumped at hearing that God was already working. The next day we had an appointment and were walking up the mountainside to meet with the moms.  They greeted us with the same hopeless expressions and put out two chairs in the shade of the hut. 

And there they were... three of God’s little children, completely naked.  Their little bodies looked so out of balance - their swollen bellies protruding out over their frames, held up by little boney legs. Their eyes were yellow and dry. 

They walked over and sat on a rough pile of rocks, as if they were bean bag chairs.  They just stared at us……as their moms gave them away. 

Meet Kinsey – he’s 3.

Willie (Kinsey's brother) – he’s 2.

And Uncle Woody - he's 4.

We took them back to Alex’s house - bathed and fed them.
I don’t imagine you’ve ever fed a starving child.  They don’t know when to stop eating.  You have to push the food away from them.


The children of Alex’s House were very gracious as they welcomed home their 3 little brothers. 


Yet, they didn’t quite know what to think.  These were the sickliest little children we’ve ever taken in.  Plus they were intrigued with Woody – he is unique.


It was a big day of first for these three little boys. First time they had ridden in an automobile. First time they had clothes that fit them.  First time they had three meals in a day.  First time they had seen a toilet.  First time then had slept in a bed. First time meeting their new family.  First time being away from the only family they knew.
A lot of firsts.

Please pray for them.  Pray that the hopelessness on their faces would soon fade away and be replaced with joy and smiles and laughter.  Pray that they would soon know peace and security.  Pray that they would feel loved.  And most of all pray that the peace and love of Jesus would fill their hearts so completely that they would grow up to be might men of God – men equipped to lead their families and change their country.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.  Your investment in Alex’s House is truly changing lives.

…for the least of these…..
  
~Bill